Happy Haunting



Hi, I'm back with a card that I made very quickly this morning. I love this pumpkin from Inkadinkadoo's Mindscape Halloween set and I did not want Halloween to pass me by without using this stamp. I am having to squeeze in stamping time these days but "where there is a will, there is a way" right??? I have the will so here I am with this little card that took an hour or less to make.

Yes, this makes my second post today and I'll be back tomorrow to share some adorable paper pumpkins I made for my Thanksgiving dinner table, yeah. Too cute is all I can say so check them out and thanks for stopping by today!

Have a fun and safe Halloween everyone!
~Lisa

Stamps: Mindscape Halloween (Inkadinkadoo), Frightful Night-sentiment (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Black Damask (Glowing/Authentique), Diamond DP (Echo Park), Choice Snow White (TE store), cardstock
Ink: StazOn Pumpkin, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Standard Circles Large (Spellbinders); Charming Oval Die (Verve); black pearls (Kaisercraft); rhinestones (PS); ribbon (Hobby Lobby); Black Metallic Cream Chalks (Pebbles Inc.)

Tip Top Challenge 57-Trick or Treat

Hello and Happy Halloween to all those who celebrate this holiday. I am dropping by with the first of two posts today so I can enter this card in the Tip Top Tuesday Challenge and this week's theme is Trick or Treat. I couldn't pass up this one and I am sliding in under the wire, again. Ugh!!! So here's my card and this little vampire is definitely a "trick" in my book. He reminds me of my son when he went as a vampire in '94 and his little sister was only six weeks old. Good grief time flies!

I found this stamp in the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby and snatched it up, so glad I did! I colored him with Copic markers and used the Mojo Monday Week 139 sketch as inspiration. Okay, I am cutting this close so need to get this posted and link up. Hope you'll check out all of the entries because there's so much talent there that will get those creative juices flowing, hehehe.

Be back later with a card I whipped up early this morning....
Happy Halloween,
~Lisa

Stamps: Block Art Give Candy (Stampendous)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: cardstock
Accessories: Lg. Deckled Rectangles (Spellbinders); brads, ribbon (PS); button from stash; lilac twine (MFT); bracket border punch (EK Success)



PEACE

TGIF!!! I am so happy that it is Friday and the weekend is here even if it is cold and pouring rain outside. I am also happy that October is nearly over as this has been a very hectic month to say the least, for us anyway.

Today I have a little project from Day 7 of Taylored Expression's 12 days of Christmas which Taylor originally released in October 2010. She referred to it on her blog recently and announced she is having a Holiday Hoopla sale with 25% off select 2009 & 2010 holiday stamps sets thru Nov. 2nd. There is a special coupon code to get the discount so check out her blog for details. Now for my altered Acrylic Accordion Album which closely patterns hers because I loved everything about it, pure sweetness ;) in every way.

I cut my paper according to Taylor's specifications but do note that you need to back the DP with a solid which is larger and you will need to measure each panel. Mount the DP to the solid AND then to the acrylic album which is not what I did, duh, last night as I was rubbing weary eyes trying to finish this. Guess I made this one for us, hehehe, which works for me. Another idea is to do the reverse side in a fall or Valentine theme to get twice the use and check out the awesome project Taylor created with this album of her handsome nephews, too cute. I imagine little "Miss Madelyn Van Bruggen" will have one this year as Taylor is a new Mommy. Ok, look for more of these altered albums and projects from the 12 days of Christmas coming soon. I really hope you'll check it out because there is a lot of inspiration there!

Enabler Alert! Read no further if you do not wish to be enabled but if you do then this info will be helpful hopefully. Just Rite Stampers is having a Blog Hop Sale for all blog and Facebook fans with 20% off your entire order including sale items through October 31st. There is a special code needed for the discount so check out the blog link to get the deets. On a sad note, Stamper's Dream is closing and Michelle is currently offering a 30% discount, no free shipping during liquidation, so check out her blog for coupon code and details.

Have a great weekend!
~Lisa

Paper: Sweet Season (Webster's Pages), Choice Snow White (TE store), cardstock
Ink: Memento Rose Bud
Accessories: Mini Acrylic Accordion Album, Winter Wonderland Snowflakes dies, Winter Wonderland stamps (Taylored Expressions); thickers fabric stickers (American Crafts/TE store); corner chomper (We R Memory Keepers); stardust stickles (Ranger); hot pink, wine, gold rhinestones (Kaisercraft); clear rhinestones (PS); 1/4" ds tape (X-PressIt/TE store)

CR84FN41 Color Challenge



Good morning and thanks for stopping by! I am back with my second entry in the CR84FN Color Challenge and our main colors are steel blue, gray and yellow. I really like this color combo and immediately thought of the beach for some reason. LOL! I guess we must have stayed in a condo decorated with these colors, who knows? I began my paper search first then turned to the sentiment I wanted to use and found this Philippians 1:6 Plain Jane stamp by Verve that I love. The hardest time I had was determining what "steel blue" is and I kinda mixed it up a little but hopefully it will pass. Here's my card for this challenge.



I started with steel blue as my base and chose a patterned DP with gray and yellow from the Lemon Flower Stack by DCWV and a diamond patterned DP, featuring shades of gray, from Authentique's Blissful Collection. I decided on clean, straight lines for this card and used some non-fussy steel blue seam binding and yellow twill ribbon in keeping with my theme. Martha's Scallop 3-Dot border punch completes the geometric feel of this card  but a few apple blossom flowers add a feminine touch. :-) The sentiment was stamped in Versa Color's Atlantic ink and I layered it with graduating circle dies by Spellbinders.

I just love this combo and will definitely use this again, perhaps with a beach theme. Hats off to the creative design team for this challenge!!!

Make today count!
~Lisa

Stamps: Philippians 1:6 Plain Jane (Verve)
Paper: base patterned DP (Lemon Flower Stack/DCWV), diamond DP (Blissful/Authentique), Sunflowers Medium & Handsome (Bazzill Basics), Choice Snow White (Taylored Expressions)
Ink: Versa Color's Atlantic
Accessories: Standard Circles Large Dies (Spellbinders); Scallop 3-Dot Border Punch (MS); apple blossom flowers (TE store); blue seam binding (Prairie Bird Boutique); yellow twill ribbon (TE store); Portabello Road "Buddies" Brad (Lost & Found/MME)

TESC 148



I'm back today with my entry for the Taylored Expressions #148 Sketch Challenge. In addition to the great sketch Taylor also challenged us to incorporate pink somewhere on our card and mail it to the patients at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center to encourage them in their fight against this terrible disease.

I chose to make this card all about the DP and the Sweet Nectar paper pad by K & Co. worked perfectly. I stamped the sentiment from A Year of Sweet Sentiments on the bottom and embossed the center panel with Cuttlebug's Victoria embossing folder. Three hot pink Elements Pearl Brads on the left keep me on target with the sketch and I added two pink paper roses by Recollections for a feminine touch. I strayed from the original sketch by adding the ribbon where I did but it's a small liberty so hopefully it will be okay. I heavily distressed the striped DP and added a green Country Birds Whimsies and called it good.  

I gotta run but hope all of you have a great day wherever you are, thanks for stopping by!
~Lisa

Stamps: A Year of Sweet Sentiments (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Sweet Nectar (K & Co.), Bazzill Chablis cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Elements Pearl Brads Brights (American Crafts); paper roses (Recollections); ribbon (Michael's)

Brrrr....It's Cold Outside!

Can you believe that Christmas is two months from today? I could literally "freak out" right now but instead I'll take a deep breath and try to accomplish something every day. All of my dreams of a highly organized holiday season somehow always goes awry......surely it couldn't have anything to do with procrastination on my part, hehehe???

Today's card features the cutest little snowman on a snowy hill with stardust stickles for snowflakes and a purple variegated tree. The stamps are from the Holiday Wonder set by Taylored Expressions and the DP is Cosmo Cricket's Mitten Weather. I am contemplating stamping the snowman again and popping up on 3D dots for some dimension, what do you think? Should mention I used Copic markers and forgot to record the colors before cleaning up, shame on me.  :(

I mentioned last week that I wanted to make a girlie card with texture and layers and I am working on one for Taylor's current sketch challenge. I have a few other things up my sleeve and I've had some requests and will try to address those soon, please bear with me. We just moved my Dad from Texas to Tennessee to live with us for the next several months while he recuperates so time is limited. If there is something you'd like to see (i.e. better photos, definitions of acronyms used here on this blog, etc.) just leave a comment and I'll address it, promise. Also, to all of you who are visiting from overseas a hearty welcome to each of you. I love seeing all the foreign traffic and feel free to join so I can visit your blog as well. :-)

Have a wonderful day!
~Lisa

Stamps: Holiday Wonder (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Mitten Weather (Cosmo Cricket), cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Classic Scalloped Rectangles Lg. & Classic Rectangles Lg. (Spellbinders); Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls (Ranger); snowflake brad buddies (HOTP); glitter snowflake brads (PS); purple ribbon from my stash; Stardust, Purple & Starry Night Stickles (Ranger); White Liquid Applique (Marvy Uchida); Copic Markers; Swiss Dots embossing folder (C'bug)

HYCCT1123 Challenge



October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Splitcoaststampers is sponsoring the second annual Hope You Can Cling To month long card drive benefiting breast cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center.  I made this card for the HYCCT1123 Challenge, Save the Boo-Bees, hosted by SweetMissDaisy (Anna Wight) based on this sketch here by Verve Diva, Charmaine. Time is a precious commodity around here these days and this card will also be entered in the VLVOct2011 Week 4 Sketch Challenge. For the HYCCT1123 challenge we were asked to make a card that features bees, a bee-friendly scene or the color yellow. Hopefully this card meets all the criteria and I love the sentiment, don't worry bee happy! Worry steals your joy, robs you of your strength and never solved anything, did you know? ;)

Check out SCS for rules, challenges, mailing address, and any additional information not mentioned here. Please note that cards must be uploaded by November 7th at 12 Noon Central Standard Time to be entered for prize drawings. You must enter a card for each daily challenge if you want to have a chance for the grand prize. I know, so much to do but you can do it. Good Luck!

Thanks for taking a look today and have a worry free day!
~Lisa

Stamps: Garden Party Critters (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Country Drive (Echo Park), Choice Snow White (TE store); cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Classic Scalloped Circles Lg. and Standard Circles Lg. (Spellbinders); yellow stickles (Ranger); Taylor's Tiny Twinkles (TE store); Copics-Y06, Y13, Y18, Y35; baby blue twill ribbon (TE store)

Can You Smell the Roses?



I'm back today with another CAS card, can you believe it? It seems that is all that is coming forth and honestly I hope my girlie side returns soon. I love layers and texture with lots of embellishments and little vintage treasures. Maybe some time off this weekend will do the trick, hope so.

After die cutting a Lacey Circle I stamped the roses onto the panel and distressed it with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink. Silver dimensional pearls frame the image and a trio of black pearls accent each side, clean and simple.

That's all for me and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 
~Lisa

Stamps: rose stamp (Inkadinkadoo)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Worn Lipstick Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Choice Snow White (TE store), cardstock
Accessories: Lacey Circles & Classic Circles Lg. Dies (Spellbinders); black pearls (Kaisercraft); Silver Pearl dimensional pearls (Ranger)

Christmas Is In the Air

Hi everyone, I'm back today with my second altered gift tin and matching card. You can find all the info on how to make these cute gift card holders in my previous post so check it out. Peppermint Altoids, the tin I recycled and used, are packaged in a red tin which is perfect for Christmas. I went with the original colors, on both tins, and matched DP's to coordinate. Here's my project and card.

 I used DP's from Season's Greeting's by Echo Park. Love this paper pack!! For the tin I rounded the corners with my corner chomper and die cut the smaller pendant from Eyelets Pendants by Spellbinders. I matted a white piece of cardstock to the back so the die cuts would show up and embellished with Split Pea rhinestones, a stamped holly image from Just Rite's Holiday Cheer set worked perfectly and the berries are red rhinestones while the image itself was stamped in Memento's Bamboo Leaves. The card features more DP from the SG's paper pack and the stamped image is from Verve's Christmas in the Air set. The dotted wave punch by EK Success works here and I placed a sticker, yes I did, on the DP panel. It just seemed to work here and it's 3D so liked that as well, not to mention all the time I saved. :D A few more Split Pea rhinestones in the corner and I was finished. I've included an inside picture of both finished tins in case you were a little bit curious.

Yep, another 3D sticker on the left tin and a stamped image from Verve's Sweet Treats set for the one in blue. These were so much fun and I hope you'll give them a try.

It may be quiet on my bloggie for the rest of the week as I am in stress overload. Have you ever watched Fried Green Tomatoes? If so, then "Twanda" will make sense, if not then nevermind. Today is a "Twanda" day and I just know that blue skies are coming my way!
Have a good one,
~Lisa

Altered Tin Supplies:
Stamps: Holiday Cheer (Just Rite Stampers)
Paper: Season's Greeting's by Lori Whitlock (Echo Park), cardstock
Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves
Accessories: Eyelets Pendants (Spellbinders); rhinestones (Kaisercraft); 3D sticker (K & Co.); red velvet ribbon (TE store)

Card Supplies:
Stamps: Christmas in the Air (Verve)
Paper: Season's Greetings by Lori Whitlock (Echo Park) cardstock
Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves
Accessories: Curved Rectangles Die (Spellbinders); Dotted Wave Punch (EK Success); 3D sticker (La Petites/PS); Split Pea rhinestones (Kaisercraft); red velvet ribbon (TE store)



Be Merry & Bright

Hi there! I'm sharing a card and altered project with you today that I made this past weekend. Altoids makes some curiously strong mints and my hubby favors the wintergreen while I am partial to peppermint. After we have devoured the goodies I save the tins to alter because they are the perfect size for a gift card. At Christmas we give a lot of restaurant gift cards to our "have everything" parents. Can you relate?

Here's how the tins looked in their original state (minus the marked-up one *wink*)

and here's the teal tin (show ya the red one tomorrow) which holds the wintergreen mints and a matching card I made for the recipient. I love to recycle so this project makes me happy!

My inspiration came from Taylor Van Bruggen, of Taylored Expressions, who hosted "12 Days of Christmas" in October of 2010. She offered gift-giving suggestions for twelve consecutive days  and posted videos on each day which made it a  breeze to make a hand-crafted Christmas. I used several of her ideas and plan to go back and make more this year so hope you'll check out her blog posts to see more inspiring projects. The link should pull up Day 12 and just scroll down to view the rest, you'll see this project on Day 10, and so much more. The Web Passwords book is fantastic and I use mine nearly every day, which reminds me that my patient daughter asked for one a long time ago...guess what I'll be making soon. Speaking of the "precious" I am remiss for not sharing sooner that she won Taylor's Sketch Challenge this month with this uber-creative card, and yes I ran screaming with joy throughout the house. :D

Congratulations Sara, we are so proud of you!!!

Have an awesome day and I'll be back with "my" altered tin and card tomorrow.

~Lisa

Card Supplies:

Stamps: Wings of Joy (Taylored Expressions)

Paper: Birdie Border DP (Jolly by Golly/Cosmo Cricket), Polka Dot DP (Tinsel & Twig/the Girls Paperie), Loops Punched DP (The Thrift Shop/October Afternoon), Choice Buttercream (TE store); red cardstock

Ink: Cardinal (Versa Color/Tsukineko)

Accessories: Labels Ten (Spellbinders); Loops punch (MS); bliss and red pearls (Kaisercraft)

Altered Tin Supplies:

Stamps: Sparkle & Cheer (Taylored Expressions)

Paper: Season's Greetings by Lori Whitlock (Echo Park), Choice Buttercream (TE store), red cardstock

Ink: Cardinal (Versa Color/Tsukineko)

Accessories: Labels Nine and Standard Circles Lg. (Spellbinders); red pearls (Kaisercraft); Adirondack Dimensional Pearls-Stream (Ranger); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); red grosgrain ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

CR84FN40 Week 2 Color Challenge



Hi there and welcome! I am entering today's card in my first ever CR84FN Color Challenge and this week  we are playing with the pretty color combo of red, brown and kraft. Take a look at our inspiration for this challenge.

I've been admiring this challenge for awhile and finally mustered up the courage to enter. There is major talent behind the scenes and from those who enter the challenge so it is a bit daunting. This week "sparked" my interest because Mona's husband, Scott, shared a wonderful quote from the late Steve Jobs. I decided to make this card for my DH to let him know just how much he means to me. My life wouldn't be complete without him and I thank God for my husband and the precious time He has given us. I can't imagine what the Jobs family must be going through right now, but I do hope they are comforted by the many prayers that have gone up on their behalf. Steve Jobs was a creative genius and he brought us joy through his amazing creations. He was a true pioneer in every way and we have been blessed by his presence here. 

I should note that I am also entering this card in the Viva la Verve Week 3 Challenge over at SCS. My card today used Maureen's awesome sketch which you can view here if you like. This is a busy week and needed to make this one do double time.

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Lisa

Stamps: You and I (Verve)
Paper: Kraft and cardstock
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Mini Paper Rosettes (T!m Holtz/Alterations); Loops Heart border punch (MS); Hearts Impression Plate (Taylored Expressions); Heart Circles Die (Spellbinders); Country Birds Whimsies (Webster's Pages); chocolate pearls (Kaisercraft); red brad (PS); chocolate ribbon (Hobby Lobby)



Merry Christmas

One of my favorite things to do is to CASE a card that really inspires me in some way. They say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" so it goes without saying that I truly admire the beautiful work of Kathy Jones, also known as Wattle at SCS, and here is her original card. I CASE'd the layout, stamped panel, and embellishments and this is what I came up with.

I wish I would've had the exact DP's she used because I love them and if anyone out there knows where I can find the Christmas Carnival paper pad by Kaisercraft please leave me a comment. I'd truly appreciate it! I also realized in hindsight that I did not get the balance I desired with the paper panels at the top, as she did, but it just gives me the opportunity to make another card and correct that, right? For me, that is what this adventure I am on is all about. I want to learn from my mistakes and grow in creative ways. I have to say the cluster of pearls in each corner is something that just puts the finishing "touch" on this card and I am going to "borrow" that a lot. :-) Her work with Copic markers is amazing and I hope you'll check out her blog, Inspired to Stamp, to see all of her gorgeous creations.

That's it for me today, thanks for stopping by!
~Lisa

Stamps: Christmas Ornaments (Just Rite Stampers)
Paper: Snowflake & Blue Polka Dot DP (MME), Red DP, (Jolly by Golly/Cosmo Cricket), Red Polka Dot DP (Tinsel & Twig/the Girls Paperie), Choice Buttercream (TE store), cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Labels Nine & Standard Circles Lg. Dies (Spellbinders); Double Morocco Lace Punch (EK Success); Copic Markers; Red Grograin Ribbon and Crochet Trim (Hobby Lobby); Bliss Pearls (Kaisercraft), Susan's Labels Template (HOTP)

There's a Mouse in the House

Whew! I ordered some "new to me" stamps in early October from Waltzingmouse Stamps over in the UK and they arrived via airmail yesterday. HOORAY!!! I checked their blog to see what challenges they offer and lo and behold they have one that ends at 12 Noon Central US Time today, nothing like a little pressure!! :-) I got up awful early to put this together and what began as a card became a wall hanging, and I love it. Here it is...

I primarily used the Hocus Pocus set but I did borrow the little "open" bat in upper left from the Cicely at Halloween set, he's so cute! Anyway, I am not a morning person "at all" but I kinda have to be so as I was working on this project I came up with a story as to why this little witch is walking and not flying. Here goes...she spent all night studying at the "Apothecary Emporium" learning to mix potions and whatnot. It just isn't coming to her as it should so she's kinda dejected but her little friend that's perched on her shoulder is trying to cheer her up. Sound good? She's definitely not a wicked witch just a witch trying to do her very best like the rest of us. For inquiring minds I will add that I *loosely* sketched her dressed on cardstock and cut out. The face and hat belong to the HP stamp set and if you look closely you'll see a boo boo I made. Hint: check out the bird on the fence directly in front of her. Mercy, he's at a 45 degree angle!

Ok, I am sliding in under the wire so gotta go. Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are and you can view the sketch here if you like. Should also note that you can flip or rotate the sketch and I flipped sentiment panels but kept the rest intact. Cheerio!

~Lisa

Stamps: Hocus Pocus and Cicely at Halloween (Waltzingmouse Stamps), Frightful Night (Taylored Expressions)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento London Fog, Antique Linen Distress Ink (T!m Holtz)

Paper: the Apothecary Emporium (Echo Park), Choice Buttercream  & Choice Snow White (TE store), cardstock

Accessories: Standard Circles Lg. & Labels Fourteen Dies (Spellbinders); Fibers Asst. 5 Pk/Oranges (PS); Black Diamond & Copper Stickles (Ranger); Plaquettes (T!m Holtz/Idea-ology); Black Pearls (Kaisercraft); foam tape and pop-up glue dots

Christmas Tags

Hello all, it is nearly noon here and I'm running late with this post today. I'd like to share with you my "first" set of Christmas tags and even though I did not have grommets, like I've seen on so many cool tags, I pressed forward and just used a hole punch. I'll have to add these to my ever growing shopping list as we really do live two weeks from anywhere. :-) 

The patterned paper is from MME's 12 Days of Christmas and I love all of the papers in this pack. There are so many options and my mind is whirling with ideas. I used two stamp images from Taylored Expressions and stickles, pearls and ribbon finish them off. I can't wait to make more tags and the Tagged Rectangle Die from Verve made these a snap so I plan to try a variety of dies for my tag bases. Hope you'll check back to see what I come up with.

Before I forget, Verve is having a Think Pink sale which ends the 16th with 20% off all in-stock stamps and dies. Verve is donating 10% of sale proceeds to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation. It's a win-win situation! Have a blessed day and I'll see ya soon.

~Lisa

Stamps: Holiday Wonder and Tag Treats (Taylored Expressions)

Paper: 12 Days of Christmas (MME), Eggshell Layering Paper (Hero Arts); cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Tagged Rectangle Die (Verve); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); Yellow Pearls (Kaisercraft); Xmas Red and Yellow Stickles (Ranger); Copics: R46, G14, Y18 & E25; Green Mesh Ribbon (Paper Wishes); Green Satin Ribbon (TE store)



TESC 147

Hello and welcome! My card today is on a much lighter note than yesterday's card. To be completely truthful, scary and dark is just not my style but this one makes me happy. It incorporates a few of my favorite things like lace, bling and gorgeous flowers which I found in the Portrait Collection paper pad I have been hoarding. (Yes, I hoard and admit it.) The colors jumped out at me and I used Island Lagoon Rhinestones and a Teal Fairytale Rose to add a little pizzazz. I made this card for a "special someone" whose recent kindness is greatly appreciated and it's also my entry for the Taylored Expressions 147 Sketch Challenge.

Here's the sketch and the entry deadline is tomorrow so you have time to play if you want to. Contest details can be found at SCS, click Search and enter TESC147 and scroll down or visit Taylor's blog. Please note that the entry deadline is Thursday, October 13th and not September 22nd. She has a new baby, sweet Madelyn, and is suffering from lack of sleep so you understand. :-)

 

As for me, I have to start earning my keep around here and get some much needed cleaning done. With this little bloggie and all of the sketch challenges I've participated in lately it's getting kinda messy. Guess I better decorate for fall, before it's over, while I'm at it. Good grief :-( so much to do and so little time!

Have an awesome day,

Lisa

Stamps: Fresh Flowers (Taylored Expressions)

Paper: Portrait Collection (Crate Paper), Choice Buttercream (TE store); cardstock

Ink: Chestnut Roan (Color Box), Antique Linen Distress Ink (T!m Holtz)

Accessories: Standard Circles Lg., Fancy Tags Three, and Classic Ovals Lg. Dies (Spellbinders); Island Lagoon Rhinestones (Kaisercraft); Teal Fairytale Rose (Prima); coral twill (TE store); crochet trim (Hobby Lobby)  

Deconstructed Sketch 22

Good morning, my post is bright and early because it is another busy day for me. I recently discovered this sketch challenge and loved the previous sketches so much I decided to give it a try. Jen Shults is the creative talent behind the Deconstructed Sketch and she has assembled an awesome design team which you can read about here. Without further ado, here is our sketch inspiration which is sponsored by Tiddly Inks.

  

Here is my card entry....

This card features a stamp from Inkadinkadoo's Mindscape Halloween set and I used the Enchanted Woods multi punch to create a spooky atmosphere.  Are you scared? LOL

Before I go I'd like to bring two ladies in the papercrafting community, that need a little help, to your attention. You can click here to learn how you can help Julie and here to help Karen. Thanks for taking a look and hope your day is a special one. :-)

~Lisa

Stamps: Mindscape Halloween (Inkadinkadoo)
Paper: the Apothecary Emporium (Echo Park); cardstock
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn), Antique Linen/Spiced Marmalade/Black Soot Distress Inks (T!m Holtz)
Accessories: Lg. Deckled Rectangles (Spellbinders); Enchanted Woods punch (Blue Hills Studio); ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Viva la Verve Week 2



I'm back today with my entry for VLV's Week 2 Sketch Challenge and finally it's a masculine card. It's for that reason that I deviated from the sketch, slightly, and substituted a cowboy hat for a "heart" and every cowboy needs his boots, right? Other than that, I kept the sketch intact and found a paper which had "grids" like the graph paper on the bottom circle panel so loved that. The brown ric rac ribbon gives me the zig zag look with no sewing necessary which made me happy because sewing is just not my thing, unfortunately. (Frankly I am dangerous around a sewing machine but hope to work on this : D ) This is definitely a CARS (clean & relatively simple) card and came together in a flash. Here's the sketch by Teresa Kline and loved this one so you'll see it again soon I am sure.



That's all for me today, hope all of you are having a wonderful day wherever you are. I'll be back tomorrow with a card that I have created using a "new to me" sketch challenge and some info on how you can help two papercrafters, if you choose to.

~Lisa

Stamps: Small Phrases (Verve)
Paper: Wanted (Cosmo Cricket), Choice Buttercream (TE store), cardstock
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Standard Circles Large (Spellbinders); brown ric rac ribbon (my stash); cardstock stickers (Karen Foster Design/Texas)



Happy Birthday Sara!

A late post today because this card was made for our darling daughter's 17th birthday tomorrow. She's very curious so had to keep it under wraps as long as possible. :-) They say time flies when you're having fun and boy does it. We have enjoyed every day that we've been given with you, Sara. You are a class act and how very lucky we are to be your Mom and Dad. Happy Birthday, we love you!!!

Being a teenager she's into fashion, and is keen to learn how to sew her own clothes, so I used this great vintage style dress form in the Paper Girl stamp set. I stamped it onto cardstock then I used the "dress" part three more times on DP and layered the papers to get just the right amount of dimension. Rhinestones (from the swirl) accent the flowers on the dress and the DP is one of her all time favorites so that was an easy choice. Black crochet trim, a vintage button and metallic bow were used in the corner and I anchored the sentiment panel with black pearls. She's not one for "too" much bling but approved my use of it on her card, did I mention she is a cardmaker too and has her own blog where she shares her creative side. I should note that I used the Mojo Monday 177 Sketch by Julee Tilman, which you can see here, as inspiration.

Tomorrow is a day of celebration for all of us so I hope to see ya on Monday with another entry in a sketch challenge. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
~Lisa

Stamps: Paper Girl (The Girls Paperie), All Occasion Nested Sentiments (Just Rite)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Paper: Distressed Couture Vines (Traci Smith for Glitz), text paper from stash, cardstock
Accessories: Long Cl. Rectanges Lg. (Spellbinders); black swirl bling (want2scrap); black pearls (Kaisercraft); button and silver metallic cord from stash, black crochet trim (Hobby Lobby); seam binding (Prairie Bird Boutique); distressing tool (T!m Holtz)

Viva la Verve Week 1

Hello again! I am playing along in VLV's monthly sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers, and my card today is based on the talented Amber Hight's sketch. October will be a busy month with a total of five sketches but that should keep me on track since we're celebrating four birthday's this month. :-) 
Here's my card...

and here is the awesome sketch which can be rotated or flipped based on your interpretation.



One of my favorite things about this sketch is everything from how the DP makes a statement to the versatility of this sketch. You can dress it up or down depending on the mood you're in or the card's purpose. This one is going in the mail to my MIL who will celebrate a birthday soon and even though I am tempted to keep it, I'll refrain. I just love this paper and you'll definitely be seeing more of this company's paper on my cards.

A quick note of thanks to those who have left comments here on my "new" blog and over at SCS's as well. Your kind words mean so much and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Have a great weekend,

Lisa

Stamps: Big Wish (Verve)

Ink: Old Rose (Versa Color-Tsukineko), Victorian Velvet Distress Ink (T!m Holtz)

Paper: Uncommon (Authentique), Choice Snow White (TE store), gray cardstock

Accessories: Lacey Squares (Spellbinders); Double Loops punch (MS); scroll chipboard (Maya Road); seam binding (Prairie Bird Boutique); paper rose (Recollections); rhinestones (PS)

Color Swatch Challenge

WCMD 2011 - Color Swatch Challenge by Julie Ebersole (EHWCMD1)



 

The "mission" if we chose to accept it was to make a card using these colors. I struggled a bit (actually a lot) but here is my card and the third entry for me in Ellen Hutson' World Cardmaking  Day Challenge.

I used black and yellow as accent colors and the lovely corner piece stamp by Penny Black was my DS's suggestion and adds a nice touch. As for the butterflies they were die cut from a DP in Cosmo Cricket's Circa 1934 collection and embellished with black and red pearls. All four colors are represented in the DP so I didn't stray too much hopefully. :-)

Three down with one to go which means I am off to find some gold foil. See ya tomorrow and hope your day is a good one!

~Lisa

Stamps: Corner Piece (Penny Black), New Beginnings (Taylored Expressions)

Paper: Circa 1934 DP (Cosmo Cricket), cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Labels Four (Spellbinders); Loops Punch (MS); red and black pearls (Kaisercraft); twill ribbon (TE store) 

Happy Harvest

This is a late post today because we've had some server issues so I'll get right to it. I made this card for the Inchie Challenge by Sharon Harnist and she challenged us to make a fall themed card and spotlight our stamp with an Inchie or a 1" square piece of cardstock. She used a gorgeous stamp, Autumn Gate, by Lockhart Stamp Co. which is now on my shopping list. I tried several approaches and nothing came together so I went default mode and yep, you guessed it, pulled out my fav autumn stamp set by Verve. I promise you will not see a pumpkin on my next post. :-) But here it is and it is set off by a Spellbinders Scalloped Edge Frame and all in all I can mark this challenge off my list. Two down and two to go...

I kept the layout simple because the idea is for the Inchie to be the focal point. As soon as I post this I will enter it into the challenge and call it a day, it has been a long one. You still have time to compete in the World Card Making Day Challenges that Ellen Hutson is sponsoring on The CLASSroom blog. Good Luck!

~Lisa

Stamps: Bountiful Harvest (Verve)
Ink: Antique Linen Distress Ink (T!m Holtz), Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Dutch Mustard DP (jillibean SOUP), Classic Orange & Palo Verde (Bazzill), cream cs
Accessories: Scalloped Edge Frame (Spellbinders); Swiss Dots embossing folder (C'bug); Copics; folder tabs template (HOTP); orange peel and yellow stickles (Ranger); brown crochet trim; chocolate pearls (Kaisercraft);

Moments That Take our Breath Away

That's exactly what happened to me this morning when I checked the Verve blog and learned that I'd won the Case-A-Diva Challenge. I can honestly say that I haven't been that excited in a long time. What an honor it truly is because the entries were all winners in my book! My heartfelt thanks to Julee and all of the Diva's for their ongoing inspiration.

I plan to enter this card in the EHWCMD4 challenge sponsored by Ellen Hutson. The sketch by Julia Stainton can be found here as well as the other challenges and prize information.



Thanks again to Verve and I wish everyone luck in the upcoming challenges.

~Lisa

Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve)

Paper: hounds-tooth check (The Classics pad by PS), black & red cardstock, Choice Snow White (TE)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Standard Circles Lg. (Spellbinders), From the Heart Die (Verve); black seam binding (Prairie Bird Boutique); buckle slider (PS); rhinestones, black and white gel pens

A Proud Mama

A late post today because it was a very busy one indeed. Before I space out I'd love for you to check out this card my DD made and entered into the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge. Here is a little sneak peek of her entry below.



She gives you all of the details on how she made it so if you like it please leave her a comment, it would make her day!

As for me, I will be back tomorrow with a card that I made for Ellen Hutson's WCD challenge, number four. See ya then and thanks for stopping by. :-)

~Lisa

Thinking of You



Hello all, just wanted to share a card I made which was inspired by the amazing Iwona Palomountain. She is also know as Chupa on SCS and the card I CASE'd can be found on her blog here. I'm always totally blown away by her use of color, choice of DP's and attention to detail.

For my card I used papers from the October Afternoon's Thrift Shop collection and used a Spellbinders Lattice Pendant behind the main stamped panel, which was accented with Lagoon Stickles. The stamped image is from,  Discover Your Wings, by Taylored Expressions and it's definitely a favorite of mine so I kept that as well. The banner was conceptualized by Chupa and is part of the Taylored Expressions It's a Banner Day 2 stamp set which was released in March of this year. So much creativity in one person :-)  

That's it for me today but I'll be back with projects from The CLASSroom's World Cardmaking Day Challenges that Ellen Hutson sponsored on October 1, 2011. She is giving away blog candy and prizes so check it out, it's not too late.

~Lisa


Stamps: Discover Your Wings  and It's a Banner Day 2 (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: The Thrift Shop (October Afternoon), black and cream cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Lattice Pendant Die (Spellbinders) and It's a Banner Day 2 Die (Taylored Expressions); Lagoon Stickles, Prismacolor pencils, hemp cord and brads

World Cardmaking Day!

Happy WCD to all crafty cardmakers! Just want to give you a heads up that Ellen Hutson is having a sale, which ends today, and hosting challenges in the CLASSroom throughout the day which you can enter to win great prizes. Be sure to check out what is going on over at Ellen Hutson LLC for more info.



Today I am sharing a bookmark I made for my DD who just happens to love owls and reading. I was inspired by the Boo Tag in T!m Holtz's gallery and I distressed a large blank tag with T!m's fabulous distress inks, couldn't live without them!! Then I stamped the adorable little owl at the bottom and the cloud, moon and bats. Chipboard letters and a little ribbon add the finishing touches and it was done in no time, better yet she loved it.

While I was still in crafty mode I made this tag for my MIL who has a birthday this month. She'll be 84 years young but shhhh because I have let the cat out of the bag :-) so guess it's a good thing they do not have internet (hee hee). She enjoys reading as well so I suspect it will be put to good use as a bookmark. Fall colors are her favorite so I chose this palette and went to work distressing. I used the Playful Journey stamp set by T!m and two of his masks to create some depth. The "b" is for Bobbie, which is her name, and I especially love the sentiment. Hope she likes it :-)



That's all for today, have fun crafting wherever you are!
~Lisa S.

Owl Bookmark Supplies:
Stamps: Mini Halloween Assortment (Inkadinkadoo), Frightful Night (Taylored Expressions)
Ink: Black Soot, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge distress inks (T!m Holtz)
Accessories: Lg. Blank Tag (PS), Ribbon (HOTP), Myriad Chipboard Letters (PS), Daubers

Birthday Tag/Bookmark:
Stamps: Playful Journey by T!m Holtz (Stampers Anonymous), Arrow in Words of Wisdom (Verve)
Ink: Old Paper, Tea Dye, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy, Bundled Sage, Aged Mahogany, Crushed Olive and Spiced Marmalade distress inks (T!m Holtz)
Accessories: Lg. Blank Tag (PS); Ribbon (PS); Mini-Paper Clips, Mini-Mask Florets, Ransom Mask (T!m Holtz for Advantus); Daubers